Have you ever witnessed a performance so riveting that it made Tom Cruise’s death-defying stunts in Mission Impossible seem like child’s play?
Before his big-screen legacy was synonymous with high-octane action, the actor, now 62, flexed his dramatic muscles, as evidenced by his transitions from the battlefield in Born on the Fourth of July to the courtroom in A Few Good Men, and from the sports arena in Jerry Maguire to the mysterious allure in Eyes Wide Shut.
Each role, a stepping stone, has cemented him as a chameleon among the stars. But did you know there’s a side of Cruise that outshines even his most iconic spy? His performance in Mission Impossible is, believe it or not, nothing compared to what he did in a deleted scene of Magnolia, wherein he humanizes the enigmatic Frank TJ Mackey with a rawness seldom seen in modern cinema.
The Scene That Didn’t Make the Cut: Tom Cruise’s Unforgettable Moment in Magnolia
In this deleted scene from Magnolia, Tom Cruise’s character Frank TJ Mackey is at his sleaziest best as he gives a seminar on how to pick up women (see YouTube). The scene opens with Frank strutting onto the stage, wearing a ridiculous outfit that screams ‘midlife crisis’ louder than a convertible sports car. With his hair slicked back and a smug grin plastered on his face, he channels his inner creep as he spouts off cringe-inducing pick-up lines and dubious dating advice.
As Frank attempts to teach those hapless men how to entice women, the audience is treated to a display of over-the-top machismo and sheer absurdity that would make even the most seasoned pick-up artist cringe. From his exaggerated gestures to his cheesy one-liners, Cruise’s performance is a masterclass in comedic timing and pure ridiculousness.
One particularly memorable moment comes when Frank demonstrates his “foolproof” method for getting a woman’s attention—a series of bizarre lies. But the real kicker comes when Frank pulls out his secret weapon–he faked a story to a girl about “late Paul” just to get her attention.
Addressing the audience, he claimed that this would guarantee success with the ladies, saying:
Jesus oh my god I’m going to hell but guys this sh*t works I know it sounds insane but there is no girl alive is gonna let you be alone in a situation like that.
Well, this deleted scene may not have made the final cut of Magnolia, but it’s a hilarious reminder of Tom Cruise’s comedic chops and willingness to embrace his inner goofball.
The Hidden Inspirations: Who Really Inspired Tom Cruise’s Character in Magnolia?
If there’s one thing we can all agree on, it’s that Tom Cruise’s portrayal of Frank T.J. Mackey in Paul Thomas Anderson’s Magnolia is both mesmerizing and cringeworthy at the same time. Playing a sleazy motivational speaker with a penchant for rhyming and objectifying women, the actor truly stepped out of his comfort zone for this role.
But according to a revealing discussion on the WTF with Marc Maron Podcast (via Uproxx), the push behind this character came from none other than a real-life pickup artist named Ross Jeffries:
Ross Jeffries is the founder, creator and Master Teacher of the worldwide seduction community. Featured as the mentor to Neil Strauss in the best-selling book, ‘The Game’, RJ has taught, coached, and mentored thousands of men around the world, since 1991, guiding them to the success with women they truly desire and deserve.
Talk about life imitating art imitating life!
And to top it all off, Jeffries himself admitted that he created the larger-than-life persona of Ross Jeffries as a way to get his message out there, much like a “loudmouthed” showman:
Ross Jeffries was a character I created, a loudmouth, obnoxious, larger than life, sort of a bit of a showman to get the message out there, to be a loud mouthpiece. That character doesn’t really meld with who I am today.
Painting a portrait with more shades than a chameleon, Cruise delivers a role that is nothing short of a kaleidoscope of complexity. Amongst a group of supremely talented actors, he managed to soar with a portrayal so arresting it culminated in a nod for Best Supporting Actor at the Academy Awards.
Both Magnolia and Mission: Impossible are streaming on Paramount+.
